Welcome Back from the PTO
On behalf of our Parent Teacher Organization (PTO), we want to welcome all of our Bears, whether you're new or returning, to BGS. Our PTO truly is a partnership across the school community to help make BGS a great place to learn. You'll hear from us weekly to keep you posted on upcoming PTO events.
Our PTO provides opportunities to students and teachers alike. For students, we provide assemblies featuring authors and scientists, build on character education, and we subsidize class trips. For teachers, we help enrich the classroom via our mini-grant program; past grants have included flexible seating, math games, science stations, and weekly magazines.
The PTO also spearheads larger investments. As you've seen in pictures from the last 2 issues of Friday Features, we undertook a Teachers' Lounge Renovation this past summer. If you missed our posts on Facebook or Twitter, you can also view a virtual tour of the updated room here. Those of you at the Playground Social may also have noticed our brand new Gaga Ball Pit which was installed over the summer. We know the kids will have a blast trying new games.
Lastly, the PTO helps create a sense of school community. From activities like yesterday's Playground Social to the Halloween Hoot, Crafts with Frosty to the Sweetheart Dance, we provide family fun that brings students, parents, and teachers together beyond the classroom.
We encourage you to join the PTO to help us create lasting memories for our Bears. Membership is purchased annually ($16 for families and teachers, $8 for BGS Aides). Membership grants you free electronic access to our Student Directory, making it easy to schedule playdates. You can purchase membership via our AtoZ Connect app or by returning the form below in an envelope marked "PTO Membership".
We hope you'll join us for our first PTO meeting of the year on Tuesday, Sept. 24 at 7:30 PM in the BGS Library. We promise, we keep our meetings to only an hour, so you'll get in and out fast!
Have a wonderful school year!
Kelly Schmidt & Briana George, PTO Co-Presidents
Get Ready for the Book Fair
Mark your calendars! Our Fall Book Fair will be held the week of Sept. 23. Students will shop during the week with their classes. Your teacher will share which day with you once the schedule has been finalized. We'll also be holding a family shopping night so that the whole family can share a love of reading.
Helpers will be needed to help staff the Book Fair. Volunteer slots will be made available next week via the AtoZ Connect app. Follow us on Facebook or Twitter for an early heads up as to when those slots are opened.
We're also looking for a co-chair for this event, who will assist with final logistics, set up, and managing the money. No experience necessary, but you should be available during the school day. If you'd be interested in co-chairing, please contact bgsptopresident@gmail.com as soon as possible.
Jobs Available for BR CAREs Before & After Care Program
Bridgewater-Raritan CAREs is looking for staff for before and aftercare to help us look after our students. We're looking for staff with kind and enthusiastic attitudes. This is a great job for anybody who enjoys working with kids including high school and college students. We are flexible with our work scheduling and we look forward to hearing from any interested applicants. The applications are done through BRRSD Applitrack at https://www.applitrack.com/brrsd/onlineapp/default.aspx?Category=Non+Bargaining+Unit
Any questions about BR CAREs Bradley Gardens can be directed to Kevin Stianchi: brcaresbradleygardens@brrsd.k12.nj.us
State of the District Forum - Mon., Sept. 9 at 6:30 PM
Please join Superintendent Russell Lazovick for our State of the District Forum on Monday, September 9th at 6:30 p.m. in the auditorium of our middle school.
The district’s 5-year strategic plan will be discussed, including an overview of the current state of the district and our goals for growth over the coming year. During the conversation, Dr. Lazovick will share current information on our academic programs, facilities, and budget. He will also detail how you can get involved with and stay informed about our strategic work.
The PTO's Going Mobile - Sign Up Today
Our PTO is moving everything you need for the PTO to a tool called AtoZ Connect. This one-stop-shop is available via your web browser AND an app for your mobile phone. In case you missed earlier articles about AtoZ Connect, you can catch a full recap of how we'll use it on the newly refreshed PTO Website here: http://bit.ly/AtoZIntro
- Go to join.atozconnect.com and click on “Sign Up Now.”
- The PTO will approve your access, then you'll verify your information.
- While you're there, you can purchase your PTO membership, pay for class fund dues to cover gifts for your teacher throughout the year, and more.
Volunteer to Be a Homeroom Parent
There's still time to volunteer to be a Homeroom parent. Read our Homeroom Parent flyer below to learn more. If you'd like to volunteer, let us know by completing our interest form: http://bit.ly/BGSRmPrt2019
Sept. 9 - 6:30 PM - State of the District Forum (Middle School)
Sept. 18 - 2-7 PM - Smoothie King Dine & Donate
Sept. 23 - 27 - Fall Book Fair
Sept. 23 - Final Day for Room Parent Sign-ups
Sept. 24 - 6:30 - 7:15 - Room Parent Info Session (BGS Library)
Sept. 24 - 7:30 - 8:30 - PTO Meeting (BGS Library)
Sept. 25 - Room Parent Lottery
Sept. 30 - No School
Stay in Touch
Bradley Gardens PTO
Briana George, Co-President
Kelly Schmidt, Co-President
Email: bgsptopresident@gmail.com
Website: www.bgspto.org
Facebook: facebook.com/PTOBradleyGard
Twitter: @PTOBradleyGard